Promoting a 50/50 Gender Balance by 2020

Sign The Pledge

I am in favor of creating a better world by achieving a healthy gender balance in leadership by 2020.

Your Title

Your Name (required)

Your Organization

Country

Your Email (required)

What are your thoughts on gender-balanced leadership?

Please prove you are male or female and not a machine by entering the letters below.

Amber Valletta

Women need to stand equal to men so that all benefit from the wisdom and intelligence women offer. We can do more together than apart.

Diane Danielson

Diversity of thought is only achieved through true diversity. Having a single token woman or minority in leadership is not “gender balanced.” When leadership better reflects the population it serves, then we can be assured of open-minded discussions, fair debate and subsequent decision-making that is truly reflective of a wider variety of viewpoints. That’s what good business is about.

Doug Carter

Bring it! Our world will be a better place.

Karen James

As so aptly noted in Albert Einstein’s quote, we need new thinking.

Cerisse Denhardt

I feel very passionately about closing the gap between women and men when it comes to professional recognition and leadership opportunities. A shift in our thinking as a nation, and universally, is well overdue.

Rene Delane

We can create a just sustainable future for all of humankind at this pivotal time in all of human history. There is more that unites each gender than that which divides us. We can only achieve this by creating awareness of our own unconscious bias that we each absorb from the from the cradle to career and beyond. Gender-based leadership is the key to solving sustainable positive change for every human in every community, country and culture. Now is a pivotable time in all of history when we can do this – achieve gender parity, improve solutions and create the future for ourselves and for generations to come.

Sharon Browning

I am so proud that Sperry Van Ness is one of the founding sponsors and that our CEO Kevin Maggiacomo is leading the charge.

Joyce Yao

Critical to success in every sector yet so far behind in every sector.

Robin Gustafsson

I think gender-balanced leadership is a crucial step on our fight for equality across the globe.

MONIKA HILM

It is a necessarily if you want to be successful. Both genders contribute different values/qualities that are needed for flourishing business.

Amr Khashoggi

We are an equal opportunity employer of men, women and persons with disability. We lobby for the empowerment of women, as they represent half of our society and are highly qualified to be great performers.

Malena Portuondo

equal is better

Toriola Jegede

Human regardless of gender, should be judged and offered any leadership level based on the content of their capacity and character.

Betty-Ann Heggie

More women at the decision-making table will raise the socioeconomic conditions for our communities and countries.

Elizabeth Heggie

Leadership should reflect society. Inclusion is better than exclusion. Everyone needs to be a part of the conversation.

Betsy Densmore

A transformational strategy for protecting people and the planet from further degradation and destruction!

Henrietta Edeoga

I believe women should be given an equal playing field in every sphere, family, economy and workplace.

niso

women are the core of the human existence, we regenerate the world! We deserve to be 60/50by 20/20.

Larua Koch

I support this with every action: teaching Social Entrepreneurship in high schools and College, organizing events for women in boards, and supporting the organization that are creating education and opportunities for women: BRAC, Pro Mujer, Women for Women, Women Advancing Microfinance, Malala Foundation, ect.

Victoria Gemignani

Women are just as inclined and capable of all that men are. Just because our anatomical parts differ does not mean a woman cannot complete the necessary tasks a job requires. Women work just as hard as men to get where they are and they should not be punished because of their gender.

Sara Ben Temessek

I believe that everyone should have his chances in this society. We are able to make technological progress like never before, improve our control on our environment but we can’t even let people have equality. I can’t understand that. Would be so hard to help everyone get a chance? I don’t think so.

mandar

This is the need of generation….this is only fact & we should accept it….

Debra R. Nixon

The sooner gender-balanced leadership is achieved the better off the entire world will be.

Anne Fillenwarth

It is necessary, morally right, and an excellent decision for businesses. It’s high time for gender-balanced leadership.

Colleen Brady

I think that gender-balanced leadership would benefit the economy, but also alleviate detrimental societal conventions that hurt women’s chances of obtaining leadership roles.

Rick Miller

It is essential.

Rob Bier

We need it!

Uttammani Dhungana

This earth should be open to all. All human being has right to personal development. Why can’t us stop the violence against women?

Shannon Bender

We need to see more women on top! Most CEO & senior level positions are dominated by men. I believe if we can empower and support the next generation of women to challenge the status quo and set their sights on reaching the top we can accomplish the 5050×2020 initiative!

Julene Allen

I believe we have to put our money where our mouth is and support women training programs and women candidates for political leadership. Sometimes the complaint is that there isn’t enough talent. Well, we have to create the talent.

LaShanda Ali

Its is a necessity, just like the family needs that same balance in order for the household to maximize efficiency, the workplace is much the same. Minds of the same kind can only cultivate so much, but when the radicals of Diversity are thrown in the mix a beautiful stew starts to boil.

Vivana Cadavid

In Colombia, over 35% of children age 0-14 live in single-parent households, the majority headed by women from low-income backgrounds. UN studies show single mothers struggle to achieve financial stability due to gender gaps in wage and employment, and the discriminatory effects of Machismo. This problem is compounded by a lack of affordable childcare and education, and limited government capacity to deliver services. CadaVida sees a need for more education and job opportunities for these women.

Bob Wartinger

Echo Warren Buffet’s words and further, for all the societal benefits that would result from a more balanced leadership, I believe we can call it a ‘No brain left behind campaign”, as stated by Kristiina Hiukka, http://www.womenininnovation.org

Caryl Gertenrich

Women’ leadership shills,generally, are under valued. They provide a more balance to situations that need leadership insights.

John J. Macliver

Equality at the leadership level is paramount not only to the success of individual firms but to industries as well. Woman leaders reflect the changing demographics we are experiencing and these are changing on a daily basis. In my industry, commercial real estate, more women are entering the business at all facets and the asset based clients of the future will reflect these trends. As my colleague and I discussed, the business case for gender balance is rock solid. I had the absolute pleasure and honor of meeting one of the top 100 most powerful women in business based on the Forbes Magazine annual rankings and if we had more like her, we will undoubtedly have a positive future just waiting for us. I welcome more women leaders and look forward to driving this initiative regionally.

Kristiina Hiukka

I’m all for “No Brain Left Behind” campaign!

Martin Fox

The time is now.

Mollie

I believe that diversity through gender and ethnicity is very important. Diverse viewpoints are important when solving problems and planning business growth.

Sherryl H.Coker

It’s the most appropriate and best case scenario for implementing a valuable and inclusive agenda to any organization!

Kristy Thompson

In all fairness, leadership would be much more balanced with females involved as well as males. It would be the beginning of the civilized world order!!

Lewis Brown Griggs

Gender-balanced Leadership is NOT about fairness or equity or legal compliance! It is in the personal & interpersonal & organizational self-interest of ALL of us that EVERY organization and every government is balanced by the diverse perspectives and experiences and recommendations of our genders and ages and ethnicity!

Laura koch

There is a lot to Do!!!

Evan

It’s essential to creating a society that benefits everyone. Justice, sustainability are all impacted by the quality of our leadersâ€“whether in business, politics, celebrity or more.

Christina Demps

Fair and equal is what with country was found on so let’s make that 100% tire without limits

savannah Steffke

I am a 14 year old girl and sexism is my least favourite thing. the men of the world need to know we are intelligent and powerful too. that’s why they keep us down, they know if we were too powerful in the world they would have no say.

Karen Hurd

Gender balanced leadership will continue to evolve. However, parameters could be put into place that would enable more qualified professionals to be interviewed for leadership positions. We have seen these type of parameters work effectively in the National Football League (NFL). The NFL a few years back instituted a policy that stated that any head coaching vacancy on any team in the NFL would be required to interview minority candidates first. This was in response to the fact if you looked at the NFL, it was predominantly white male coaches and others in positions of “leadership”. This policy has enabled minority coaches to become head coaches and recently we had our first African American head coach to win a SuperBowl in the NFL.

Julie Kaye

As a 62 year old woman who has worked in the world of business both in the private and government sectors for more than 40 years, it is somewhat disheartening to see where women stand today. Though young women today are very educated and capable, I see them struggling against the same odds that were present when I was younger. They have the numbers, education and the power to make the change … what they need is the passion that was burning in women in the 70’s and 80’s. The convergence of these two forces would, I believe, make this necessary and important change happen TODAY!

Smithg828

In my friend’s web blogs they already have provided me on the website rolls, but mine usually is located at the bottom on the listing and does not selection when I place as it does for some individuals. Is this a placing that I have to difference or is this a choice they may have considered? . decgaabkgdacfegc

Linda Bolliger

No country that declines to utilize most of its human capital will fail to realize their economic potential. It’s as simple as that.

Jule

Aim high in order to come close to reaching the 50% mark or it will take decades and the world needs gender balanced leadership now!

Bobby Bloom

My mother, sisters, wife and female friends deserve the same opportunities and respect as I do! It’s that simple to me.

Katlego

I believe we should be given equal respect and honor in the business and even politicaly. Women should be involved as much as we men are in the tops positions of organisations .

Howard Cosby

I was brought up to abhor waste and prejudice.

Lora OConnor

It’s essential to a well functioning society and systems

Maria Xenidou

We are making good progress in discussing the topic more openly in most of the companies. We are also promoting many women to higher levels. I personally believe that we can reach true gender balance leadership when we have women in senior executive roles. We need women in roles that make decisions and not only in supporting functions such as HR or Finance. We need more women in senior and executive business roles.

Wendy Ruiz Cofino

The humanity is one and the energy of men a women compliment each other and makes us stronger and wiser.

Deb Nelson

Gender-balanced leadership is good for the triple bottom line: people, planet, profit.

Erika Cashin

More acceptance from both genders of strong women in leadership roles.

Deborah Currie Mohr

Diversity of thought is the most powerful card in the deck.Women ignite thought through their collaborative solution seeking intuitive behavior in just being.Universal authentic leadership is the key to tomorrow’s healthy companies driven by a culture of innovation and a respect for all thoughts.

Tracy Miller

I personally encounter the gender imbalance every day in encounters with boards, local companies, local government, state government, and the federal government all still mostly run by men. I hope it is still not to late to change things for women my age; but most importantly, I want to never lose hope that we cannot make changes for our young women.

Joe Pitt

Gender balance is a requirement for men and women, as well as our country if we are to grow and prosper in the future.

Barry L. Schlouch

I believe gender-balanced leadership will improve not only positive results in business but more importantly a better world.

Deborah jourdan

We need the traits that both women and women bring to leadership – including those agile enought to bring so me of both to the table. I’ve often found myself in the situation of being one of a handful of women in a room of leaders and it’s critical that we speak up and bring our perspective to the table.

Will Marre

This is truly a world-changing initiative.

Marlaina Renton

It’s time! !!!!!

Barbi Reuter

Beyond the equity issue at face value, metrics show better performance with diverse perspectives represented on boards and teams. Gender-balanced leadership is long overdue.

Jesse Pyrch

We as humans were all created as equals.

Kevin

More ideas and views from a wider variety of people. Love it. This is still a problem in our society and the glass ceiling needs to be shattered.

Diane Hill

It is imperative to create a 50/50 balance within leadership; I fully endorse this plan.

Mark Van Ness

There is much talk today about the urgent need to solve the great challenges our species faces. But first we must restructure the leadership to reflect our population.

Sarah Nanbu

I believe gender-balanced leadership is an important and necessary part of creating more just communities and resilient economies.

Kim Graham-Nye

If business wants to tap into the phenomenal talent of women leaders, it needs to acknowledge the current corporate structure is antiquated, and needs to create a new paradigm where business and family can go together better.

Kim Graham-Nye

If companies want to tap into the phenomenal talent of women leaders, they must acknowledge that the current structure of business is antiquated. Companies need to be willing to create a new paradigm where business and family go together better.

Johan Premfors

It must happen and quickly.

Julie Edwards

Its good to have a balance of both femine and masculine energy in leadership positions in order to obtain the best outcomes!

John Macliver

Gender balance means leveraging 100% of the working population as opposed to half. My results will be better.